Synthesis, Characterization and Electrochemical Performance of Nanostructured Cobalt Oxide and Nickel Cobalt Oxide Active Materials for Supercapacitors

In this research, nanostructured cobalt oxide and nickel cobalt oxide active materials were successfully synthesized by a hydrothermal route. Structural characterizations of the prepared active materials were performed using X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and elemental analysis (EDS). The results of these experiments showed that nickel has been successfully doped in the cobalt oxide spinel structure. Also, the microscopic examination showed the nano-rod morphology for the cobalt oxide and nickel cobalt oxide, which yields the high specific surface area for electrochemical reactions, leading to increase energy storage capacitance. Energy storage performance of the prepared active materials was investigated using electrochemical experiments of cyclic voltammetry and galvanostatic charge-discharge in a solution of 6 M KOH in Swagelok standard cell. The specific capacitance of nickel containing cobalt oxide sample (1624 F g-1) was obtained higher than that of cobalt oxide (1020 F g-1) at a current density of 2 A g-1.